The effect of a hydroxyapatite impregnated PCL membrane in rat subcritical calvarial bone defects

Objective: The present study evaluated the effect of polymeric-nanofibers membranes impregnated with microparticulate hydroxyapatite (HA) in the subcritical calvarial bone defects (SCBD) healing. Design: PCL membranes with and without HA were obtained by electrospinning. SCBD were perforated (3.3 mm) in left and right sides of 36 rat calvarias. The right-side SBCD of 18 animals was filled with HA mixed with blood clot and blood clot at the contralateral side. The remaining animals received PCL + HA membrane at the right side SCBD and PCL membrane at the contralateral side. Animals were killed after 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery. Bone defect volume (in mm(3)) was measured by tomography (CBCT). Qualitative histological analysis and SBCD area (in mm(2)) were measured. Quantitative data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn tests. Results: Reduction of SBCD volume was observed in all treatments but PCL. Association with HA significantly improved bone healing induced by PCL and blood clot. PCL + HA induced the lowest SBCD volume at 60 and 90 days. Complete bone healing was not observed even at 90 days in SCBD treated with blood clot. In every period, more bone formation was observed for SCBD treated with membranes. Conclusions: We concluded that both PCL membrane and HA were able to improve bone healing.